Heavy Lifting Job HSE

My next offshore venture was in Heavy Lifting operation

I was attached to a vessel owned by Seaway Heavy Lifting  named  Stanislav Yudin for the Heavy Lifting job offshore Labuan.

The job was to install 7 modules or units off offshore structure from the main support frame to the flare boom ranging from 700 to 2000 Metric Ton.

The job pretty much depending on the weather condition i.e the sea and wind condition. A little high swell and gust if wind will affect and may jeopardize the operation.

As an HSE prelim to the operation the current and updated weather forecast must be in hand in order to make the decision to proceed or to halt the operation.

At all time the anchor position and condition being watched properly by Marine Captain Rep on board to ensure vessel is in the position for the lifting.

Inspection shall be thoroughly done on all of the lifting equipment and accessories, crane prong etc. The mammoth sling soft eye ferrule inspection date must be up to date and copy of the certificate must be available in hand for verification inspection. 

Receiving module/unit transportation dummy barge also a very challenging task as to ensure smooth along side operation. An impact of such barge with the load with it can cause severe damage to the vessel. All of this operation will be monitored by vessel superintendent with Client Rep and of course by HSE personnel. Once the dummy barge securely moored personnel from vessel will board the barge for inspection. The inspection focus on the condition of sea fastening and pad eye for slings attachment. The Center of gravity also will be checked against drawing to ensure the crane block is plumbed against it.

Again the PTW is one of the main element in controlling the job. Clear Method of Satetment (kinda assurance of safety step by step in the lifting operation) must be attached to the PTW with other certificates.

Next operation is hooking the slings to the crane prong, some crane with two prong and others usually come with four prong.

Key personnel especially the lifting superintendent and few scaffolder will be standing by at the lifted unit on the jacket leg or substructure to receive the current new module/unit.

The fitter will standby to cut the sea fastening once the crane sling taking the load from the dummy barge prior to be fully lifted/suspended on air. Sufficient tag line will be attached to the module/unit to control its movement and to help/assist in positioning it into final position.

The lifting superintendent will give the green light for the operation to start after taking into consideration sufficient weather windows for the operation and of course with all the paperwork i.e PTW etc ready in hand.

The crane operator will play a very important role to lift and maneuver the module/unit hooked to the crane prong slow but firmly until safely landing to its final position. He will be advised/supervised and monitored by the lifting superintend whom is the overall in charge of the operation.

The step repeated for each unit/module until all of them successfully and safely installed.

Nowadays new Dynamic Positioning vessel taking over the operation since maneuver and control of movement is much easier compare to anchored vessel or barge.